Gabby Williams leads Golden State Valkyries to first WNBA title, named Finals MVP

Gabby Williams was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2026 WNBA Finals after scoring 30 points in Game 7, including a record 28 points in the second half, leading the Golden State Valkyries to a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream, Yahoo Sports reported.

The championship marked the Valkyries' first WNBA title in just their second season as a franchise. The team overcame a six-point halftime deficit with Williams scoring 15 points in the third quarter and nine straight points in the final period to secure the win.

Williams also contributed defensively with four blocks, helping set the tone early in the game. The Valkyries' victory was the first in a Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, following the league's transition to a seven-game series format last year.

The 2026 WNBA season was notable for record attendance and viewership, with 3.8 million fans attending regular season games and significant increases in TV ratings, according to the WNBA.

The Valkyries, owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, improved significantly from their inaugural season, boosted by the offseason signing of Williams. They finished the regular season with a 32-12 record and defeated strong opponents to reach the Finals.

The Atlanta Dream, who were undefeated on their path to the Finals, were led by Jordin Canada with 18 points in the final game, while star Angel Reese had a quieter performance.

Williams' performance capped her first WNBA championship after previous near misses in international competitions, marking a milestone in her career.